Graham
I suggested the Three Passes.
ABOUT THE EXPEDITION
Five people. One very questionable idea.
I’m going with my sons, my brother-in-law and Aidan’s friend Luke. We each came to this for different reasons.
There are easier ways to get to Everest Base Camp.
Our route crosses Renjo La, Cho La and Kongma La. We leave Lukla on 25 October and plan to finish walking in Chhukung after the third pass.
Meet the team
Aidan
Fresh from his first marathon.
Niall
He thought it sounded like good craic.
Stephen
Fell runner and orienteer.
Luke
Mountain runner in Canada.
THE FIVE OF US
We are going for different reasons.
01 / THE QUESTION
Graham
What would need to be true for this to be possible?
I’ve always liked an adventure. At 145 kg, I asked what would need to be true for me to cross the Three Passes. I began changing my weight, fitness, strength and recovery, one training block at a time.
I represented Ireland in athletics and ran the 400 metres in under 50 seconds. That experience belongs to another part of my life. This trip is about the work I can do now, and sharing the mountains with my sons.
02 / THE NEXT CHALLENGE
Aidan
After his first marathon, a new challenge.
Aidan had heard about the Everest Three Passes for years. After graduating from university and running his first marathon, he wanted another challenge. This one takes him to Nepal with his dad, brother and friend Luke.
03 / GOOD CRAIC
Niall
Dad and Aidan were going. It sounded like good craic.
Niall is coming with his dad and big brother. He is less concerned with explaining why than with enjoying the trip.
04 / THE MOUNTAINS
Stephen
A hill walker who wanted in.
Stephen has spent years in the mountains. He was a keen fell runner and competed in orienteering at a high level. When he heard that his nephews and brother-in-law were planning the Three Passes, he wanted to join them.
05 / ANOTHER MOUNTAIN
Luke
Another big mountain challenge.
Luke enjoyed mountain running while working in Canada, especially the altitude and scenery. Like his friend Aidan, he wanted to take on a larger challenge. The Three Passes was the one they chose.
THE PLAN
We start walking on 25 October.
From Lukla we head through Namche to Renjo La, Gokyo, Cho La, Everest Base Camp and Kongma La. After the third pass we finish in Chhukung.
We’ll share photographs, video and notes as the trip unfolds, whenever the connection allows.
Explore the route →